In a shocking turn of events over the weekend, the No. 7 Alabama Crimson Tide suffered a decisive loss to an unranked Oklahoma Sooners team.
Entering the game with a 5-5 record and just a 1-5 record against SEC opponents, the Sooners not only upset the Tide but dominated them, leaving Alabama reeling as their postseason aspirations took a critical hit.
The Crimson Tide had appeared to control their own destiny heading into Saturday, but now find themselves in unfamiliar territory.
With no path to the SEC Championship and the College Football Playoff looking increasingly out of reach, the loss marks a sharp departure from Alabama’s reign as a college football powerhouse.
For the first time since 2010, Alabama has lost three games in a season.
Under first-year head coach Kalen DeBoer, who stepped into the massive shoes of legendary coach Nick Saban, the program is confronting an unfamiliar reality.
While an eight-to-ten win season would thrill most programs, it’s a bitter pill in Tuscaloosa, where anything less than a championship is considered a failure.
Alabama quarterback turned ESPN college football analyst Greg McElroy weighed in on the surprising struggles, pinpointing what he sees as a troubling reliance on QB play.
“Alabama has become too much of a quarterback-driven team this season,” McElroy said. “It’s been trending in that direction, and the thing that scares you the most about Alabama is that when Jalen Milroe is on, they’re so tough to play against. But when he’s not on, and there have been multiple games this year where he hasn’t been, it’s a problem.
“We told you the only path for Oklahoma was if Alabama screwed it up, and Alabama very much screwed it up. This team has become too reliant on the quarterback.”
With just one regular-season game remaining, Alabama must now regroup and focus on the upcoming Iron Bowl against in-state rival Auburn.
While a victory on Saturday would preserve some pride, it may do little to improve their standing with the College Football Playoff committee.
The updated rankings, set to be released Tuesday night, will shed light on how far Alabama has fallen and whether they retain any hope of sneaking into the playoff conversation.
However, with three losses on their record and stiff competition within the SEC, the Tide could find themselves on the outside looking in for the first time in over a decade.
Milroe could very well be the most polarizing player in all of college football.
While he has many supporters who feel he’s a true game-breaker, there are plenty of fans who feel he’s massively overrated.
As McElroy pointed out, when Milroe is on, he’s on, and everything looks great. However, the second things go sideways and too much responsibility falls on his shoulders, the Tide tend to head south.
What are your thoughts on the disappointing season in Tuscaloosa?
Where do you fall on the Milroe debate?
As for DeBoer, did Alabama make a mistake? … Is he too far over his head???
